Pin setting apparatus for bowling machines



Dec. 16, 1952 J. v. H. WHIPPLE ETAL 2,621,961

PIN SETTING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING MACHINES Filed July 8, 1947 8Sheetg-Sheet l J. v. H. WHIPPLE EI'AL 2,621,961

PIN SETTING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING MACHINES Filed July 8, 1947 8Sheets-Sheet 2 Z r 0 J 4 M y m 1 1 d 7 1 1 w 7 1M J 0 0 6 I j 3 7 8 I J1 I J J 5 5 a M 1 EN; f a J o |i| I 0, I I, H o 01 J a 3 I w J 3 J i m Jn 6 W 7 E J fl .J 1 j 1 j 1 y Ml r ZJJflmm h fi y n r 26 i Ia "Ad wfiwWWW 4% 1?: y m M a a Z y 1. a 4 ma 4 y M M Z 3 J Deg-.16, 1952 4 J. v.H. 'WHIPPLE' an 7 2,621,961

PIN SETTING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING MACHINES Filed July 8. 1947 8Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 16, 1952 J. V. H. WHIPPLE "EIAL 2,621,961

7 I FIN SETTING APPARATUS FOR sowuuc MACHINES Filed July 8, 194'? .8Sheets-Sheet 4 dear e P. flenla Eda/{721R enil.

16, 1952 J. v. H. WHIPPLE EI'AL PIN SETTING AP ARATUS FOR BOWLINGMACHINES Filed July 8, 194'! 8 Sheets-$heet 5 J. v. H. WHIPPIIFE :T'AL

PIN sz'muc APPARATUS FOR BOWLING-MACHINES Filed July 8, 1947 8Sheets-Sheet 6 Dec. 16, 1952 v, wHlBPLE r 2,621,961 PIN SETTINGAPPARATUS FOR BOWLING MACHINES Filed July 8, 1947 '8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Dec.16,. 1952 J. v. H. WHIPPLE- EIAL 2,621,961

PIN SETTING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING MACHINES Filed July 8, 1947 'aSheets-Sheet s Patented Dec. 16, 1952 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE PINSETTING APPARATUS FOR BOWLING MACHINES Application July 8, 1947, SerialNo. 759,488

8 Claims.

This invention relates to an automatic pin setter, and more particularlyto a novel pin setting, search and pickup mechanism. This application isa continuation of our application Serial No. 748,158, filed May 15, 1947now abandoned.

A general object of this invention is to provide improved pin setting,search and pickup mechanism in a pin setting machine.

An object of this invention is to provide in such a machine, improvedmeans for setting pins through a pickup and search structure.

Another object is to provide an improved pin setting mechanismcomprising a pair of parallel pickup bars operated by means of a novelselflocking arrangement.

Another object is to provide a pin setting and pickup mechanism whichwill accommodate worn pins or other pins having dimensions which deviatefrom a standard.

Another object is to provide a pickup mechanism wherein pins are clampedto the alley bed before they are picked up and re-set and when they arere-set the clamping pressure is not released until the pickup mechanismis completely clear of th pin.

Another object is to provide automatic pin setting mechanism in whichthe pins are not dropped but are set upon the alley bed before beingreleased.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description and from the drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary perspective view of a bowling pin settingmachine embodying a preferred form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a single cell of the pin setter, partsof the apparatus being broken away to show underlying parts;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of one of the grid structures utilizedto support a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the structure shown in Fig. 3 showing thestructure of the portion of one of the pin setting units which issupported thereby;

Fig. 5 is a partial plan view of another of the grid structures utilizedto support a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a side view of the structure of Fig. 5 showing the structureof the portion of one of the pin setting units which is supp rtedthereby;

Fig. 7 is a partial plan view of another of the supporting gridstructures for the apparatus of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a side view of the grid structure Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an elevation of a latch and its associated mechanisms utilizedto latch certain of the grid structures of Fig. 2 together;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged end view, partly in section, of a portion of thepin setting apparatus shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is a side view of the setting mechanism of Fig. 10 just after itcontacts a pin standing on the alley bed;

Fig. 12 is a side view of the setting mechanism at an intermediate pointin the operation of grasping a standin pin;

Fig. 13 is a side view of said apparatus at the completion of itsoperation of grasping a standlng pin;

Fig. 14 is a side view of the pin setting and pickup apparatus at thestart of an operation to set a new pin on the alley bed;

Fig. 15 is a side view of said apparatus just as a pin strikes the alleybed, and

Fig. 16 is a side view of said apparatus just after it has released thepin on the alley bed.

While we have illustrated in the drawings and shall herein describe indetail a preferred form of the invention, it is to be understood thatthe invention is not limited to the particular arrangement shown, itbeing contemplated that various changes may be made by those skilled inthe art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asexpressed in the appended claims.

As illustrated in the drawings, and with particular reference to Fig. 1,the preferred form of the invention is installed at the rear end of abowling alley 20' equipped with the customary gutters 2| and 22 and pit23. Pins 24 are arranged to be placed on the alley in the standardtriangular formation of ten.

Generally, the machine comprises a tiltable tray 25 normally forming thebottom or floor of the pit 23 and inclinable to urge the pins and ballin the pit towards the rear against a pit cushion 26; a pin and ballelevating mechanism 2'! having a plurality of pin and ball carryingflights 28 movable upwardly from the pit to a discharge position for thepins at 29; a ball transfer means 33 arranged to remove a ball 3| fromthe conveyor and transfer it to ball return tracks 32; a pin chute 33for receiving pins discharged by the conveyor flights when tilted at 29;a rotary drum-like pin sorter 34 into which the pins pass from the chute33 and are carried upwardly for discharge into a distributor 35comprising a plurality of chutes 36; a magazine 31 adapted to receiveand hold a set of pins prior to their movement into a pinsetter 38having ten vertically positioned and triangularly arranged pin tubes 39;a pin pickup mechanism 48 for elevating standing pins from the alleyduring a sweeping operation to remove dead wood therefrom, a sweepdevice 4| for sweeping the alley and gutters clear, a guard device 42for stopping a ball thrown during certain operations. of the machine,power operating mechanism including a power unit 43 and controlmechanism housed partly in a unit 44. Shown also in Fig. l is a meansfor changing the pins in the machine by withdrawing the set that is inuse and feeding into the machine an alternate set. This means includespin containers or boxes 45 and 46., positioned generally under the parts43 and 44 and a pin diversion chute structure 41 for diverting pins fromthe distributor into one or the other of the boxes 45 and 48.

Preferably, the parts 30 to 4'! inclusive are all supported on acarriage 48 which is movable from the normal rear position shown in Fig.1 wherein the pin chutes 39 are over the respective pin spots on thealley 20, to a forward position approximately three feet ahead of theposition shown in order to permit manual setting of pins on the alley bya pin boy. A walk 49, extending across the alley and any other alleys onwhich 1 If desired, this masking unit may be equipped with signal lightsarranged in a triangular for mation similar to that of the pins on thealley and suitably connected to be illuminated when pins are standing.

The various machine parts will be described approximately in thesequence in which pins and the ball from the alley fall after a ball hasbeen rolled down the alley by a player. Thus, upon such a rolling of theball, the ball and usually some of the pins enter the pit 23 and restupon the tray 25 in its lower or horizontal position. At such time thepin and ball elevator 21 is stopped in a position in which two of theflights 28 are below and behind the pit cushion 26 and the other two ofthe flights are above the top of the pit cushion so that it isimpossible for the pins or ball to strike the elevator flights. The tray25, as illustrated in Fig. l is in the form of a metal framework havinga plurality of slots in the rear edge thereof to accommodate the passageof forks or tines 6| on the conveyor flights. Preferably, the tray iscovered with a layer 62 of a cushioning and sound deadening materialsuch as rubber or felt. The tray is pivoted adjacent its rear edge on across shaft so that it may be moved from a lower horizontal position(which is assumed during actual bowling by a player) to the inclined orupper position illustrated, into which it is moved after a ball has beenrolled. To swing the tray between its two positions, arms 64 extendrearwardly from the opposite side edges thereof and are slotted at 65 toadmit a crank pin 66 carried on a cross shaft 61 which also supports thesprocket for operating the conveyor 21. In this manner, the move- 4ments of the tray are synchronized with certain movements of the pin andball conveyor.

The pin and ball elevator 21 comprises a pair of roller chains 68, oneat each side of the pit 23 and each constrained to follow a specialcurved path by guide channels 69. Each guide channel has a rear portionthrough which the chain normally moves downwardly, a bottom portionthrough which the chain normally moves forwardly, and a forward portionthrough which the chain normally moves upwardly. The roller chains carryfour tine assemblies or rakes which extend between the chains andconsist of rods 28 and tines 6|. The elevator flights or rakes arenormally driven up through the slots 60 in the tray 25 to pick up pinsand balls from below. Generally, a ball is picked up on the first flightof the conveyor passing upwardly from the tray and if not on the firstflight, then almost invariably on the second. As soon as the firstflight passes through the pins on the tray, the majority of the pinsalign themselves cross-alley and those which are not carried upwardly onthe first flight are picked up on the second flight. The widely spacedtines effectively produce a stringing out or debunching of the pins, asonly a limited number can get on one set of tines at one time. Thisavoids jamming of pins in the pin chute 33 when they are discharged.from the elevator.

The chains 68 are driven from an upper cross shaft 78 which carries asprocket H at each end thereof. The shaft 10 is rotatably supported onthe frame 13 for the elevator and is connected to a drive shaft.Preferably, the drive shaft is driven by a reversible hydraulic orelectric motor or other power means (not shown), the operation of whichmay be controlled automatically to give the pin and ball conveyor thedesired movements.

The pit construction and the ball and pin elevatcr hereinbefore brieflydescribed are disclosed more fully and claimed in our copendingapplication Ser. No. 748,159 filed May 15, 1947.

The present invention is directed to a pin setting, search and pickupmechanism particularly adapted for use in a bowling pin setting machineof the type shown in Fig. l, and which is disclosed more fully in oursaid copending application, or may be used in the pinsetter of thecopending application or" Jack Van Horn Whipple and Albert L. Odmarkfiled March 24, 1947, as Serial No. 736,682. Somewhat similar apparatusis also shown and described in the copending application of George A.Montooth filed March 24, 1947, as Serial No. 736,643. The apparatus ofthe present invention is shown in such a machine in Fig. l, and is shownin greater detail in Figs. 2 to 10 inclusive. Figs. 11 to 16 show oneunit of the mechanism in various operating positions during theoperation of picking up a standing pin from the alley bed and setting anew pin on the alley bed.

The apparatus of this invention consists of a plurality of cellularstructures mounted on a series of triangular grids or structural frames.These grids, five in number, are designated at 186, I81, 62, 33 and I04in Fig. 2, and form parallel frames spaced vertically one above theother, and are capable of vertical motion relative to each other. Thegrids are all interconnected by a stop device which ma comprise threevertical rods (not shown) extending through said grids and disposed neareach of the corners thereof together with a series of stop collars andspacer members assembled in conventional manner. By means of this stopdevice each adjacent pair of grids has a defined minimum and maximumseparation. Since the grids are substantially rigid structures onlythree stops are necessary, one between each pair of grids, to definepositively the spacial relationship of the grids.

Figs. 3 and 4 show the structure of grid I00, said grid comprising agenerally triangular peripheral frame having side members I a backmember I00b and front member I000 and interconnecting members I 00d,said interconnecting members extending between the side memberstransversely of the alley bed and between rows of pins thereon. Theseinterconnecting members I00d act to transmit the weight of each pinsetting unit cell as for example the cell shown in Fig. 2, out to thepoints of support on the side members I00a. Attached to the grid I00 arestop members I00e adapted to cooperate with the stop collars abovementioned in order to limit movement of the grid structure.

Within each of the ten openings provided on the grid structure, grid I00carries a pressure plate assembly IIO, said assembly being carried belowthe grid structure I 00 by means of pins I I I and springs IIZ so thatsaid pressure plate is movable relative to the grid structure as willhereafter appear. A plurality of micro-switches I I3 are carried bypressure plate supporting bars II I which define the ten openings forthe individual cells, these switches being adapted to be actuated by amovement of the pressure plate relative to grid I00, this movement beingaccomplished by clamping a standing pin to the alley bed against theresistance of the springs I I2. A strike detector grid comprising barsI00 and I009 is also carried by the grid I00 to indicate throughmechanism (not shown) the complete absence of pins after the rolling ofball so that a new set of pins may be set before a second ball isrolled.

Figs. 5 and 6 show in detail the construction of the second grid IOI.This grid comprises a generally triangular structure having side membersifiia, a back member mm, a front member Nile and interconnecting membersIOId extending transversely of the alley between the side members IIiIa.Stop members IOIe are provided to limit the relative movement of thegrid ml with respect to the other grids as above described, andconnecting members II5 are provided between the cross members IOId todefine the openlugs for each of the individual cells.

Associated with each individual pickup unit or cell the grid Iillcarries a search and pin pickup linkage structure indicated generally inFig. 6 at I I6, this structure being supported upon the grid by means ofa supporting member I II.

In Figs. '7 and 8 the construction of the grid I02 is shown in detail.This grid is the only grid in the entire structure which is positivelydriven or moved (vertically), relative movement of the other grids beingobtained by movement of this grid I02 while a pin 24 is clamped to thealley bed. The grid I02 is shown as comprising a generally triangularframe having side members I02a, a back member I021), a front member I020and transverse cross members I02d extending between such side membersbetween the rows of pins. Stop members I02e are provided to cooperatewith the stop device above described, and this grid is adapted to bepositively driven both up and down by hydraulic or other means which arenot shown here but which may be similar to the hydraulic drivearrangement shown in said 6. copending application of Jack Van HornWhipple and Albert L. Odmark. Grid I 02 is provided with a plurality ofracks I20 supported on the side members 102a and front member I020respectively by means of hanger brackets I2I connected to rack supportsI22. The grid I 02 carries search bar actuating members shown in Fig. 2at I23, means for clamping the grids I02 and I" (not shown), and meansfor receiving grid I03 (not shown). I

Similarly grid I03 comprises a triangular structure carrying the pinsetter mechanism to be hereafter described and also has means to locategrid I03 on grid I02, this means not being illustrated in detail.

Grid I04 which is shown only fragmentarily in Fig. 2 carries thedistributor system 38 (Fig. 1) and the storage cells and release doorsshown atthe top of Fig, 2. This last mentioned grid IM- also has meansfor looking to grid I03 and stop apparatus of the same character as thatshown in connection with grids I00, I Ill and I02.

The operation of the apparatus disclosed herein; can best be explainedby combined reference to Fig. 2 and Figs. 11-16. For the purpose of thisdescription it will be assumed that the first ball of a frame in a gameof bowling has been rolled leaving at least one pin standing on thealley. During the bowling of this ball the grids are in. an elevatedposition, the pressure plates I I0 presenting a fiat protective surfaceabove the alley bed to prevent flying pins from striking the machinemechanisms. After the ball has been rolled, grid I02 (the onlypositively driven grid) is driven downwards. Grid IOI is suspended fromgrid I02 at a distance approximately 3 /2 inches, and grid I00 issuspended below grid IOI at a distance of approximately 5 inches. Thepressure plates IIO extend below the top surface of grid I00 by about 3%inches, this arrangement providing that if a full sized bowling pin(about 15 inches high) is standing on the alley bed the pressure plate II0 will just contact the pin with grid I00 about 18% inches above thealley bed.

After this contact is made grid "2 is driven down about one inchfarther, and since there is no change in the relative spacing betweengrids I00, IOI and I02, grids I00 and NI also travel one inch lower sothat grid I00 is now about 17% inches above the alley bed, and at thispoint the stops I00e strike collars (not shown) amxed to the machineframe, thereby preventing any further downward motion of the grid I00.Pressure plate I I0, which preferably has its bottom surface coveredwith a resilient cushion Illa of rubber or some other material, has beenstopped by the head of the bowling pin 24 and has compressed pressureplate springs I I2 to apply a controlled pressure to the pin, holdingsaid pin to the alley as shown in Fig. 11 (the pin 24 .being broken offand shown only fragmentarily in Fig. 11 and subsequent figures).Standard sized bowling pins will cause a relative motion between thepressure plate I I0 and the grid I00 of approximately one inch, and wornor shorter pins will cause less relative motion between said plate I I 0and said grid I00. In one machine which we have constructed we haveprovided a structure capable of exerting necessary pressure in the eventthe bowling pin is as much as inc-h shorter than standard.

As shown in Fig. 11 the pressure plate IIO need not remain parallel tothe grid I00, but is free to assume any position under the pressure ofthe four springs I I2 at the corners thereof and the head of the bowlingpin 24, such bowling pin being illustrated in Figs. 10, 11', 12 and 13as being moved a considerable distance away from its normal pin spot onthe alley bed. In the event that the pin is on its normal spot, as isusually the case, the head of the pin will of course contact thepressure plate at the center thereof.

When the pin pickup apparatus has reached the position of Fig. 11switches H3 which are carried on the support castings H4 (Figs. 2 and 3)are actuated by rods I which extend upwardly from the guide pins I Hwithin the springs H2 and from diagonally opposite corners of thepressure plate I I3. By using a switch and actuating arrangement locatedabove diagonal corners of the pressure plate at least one of the twodiagonally placed switches will be actuated no matter how the pin isdisplaced. Switches IE3 may be connected to a pin indicator circuit (notshown) to designate by lamps or other means which bowling pins were leftstanding after the first ball has been rolled.

At the other two diagonally opposite corners of the pressure plate iii}rods similar to the rod IE5 extend upward and actuate one of the strikedetector grids I001 or I 00g shown in Fig. 3, thereby serving toindicate that a strike has been made by the first ball if no rod ispushed up.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 12, in Fig. 12 the grid I02 has moved downan additional distance of approximately 31% inches. Grid IElI moved downand stopped a distance of approximately 1-1-2- inchs above grid I00.During this part of the cycle the search and pickup mechanism which ismounted on grid IOI is moved from its withdrawn position and loweredpast the pressure plate I I0 so that it is in the same horizontal planeas the head or neck of the clamped pm.

The pickup and resetting mechanism comprises a straight line linkagearrangement with a parallelogram-toggle locking linkage, there being twooppositely disposed sets of linkage associated with each individual unitor cell, although only one of said sets will be described here. placedsupport members I are pivotally connected at their upper ends by meansof rollers I30a in vertical slots I3I in an upwardly extending portion IIla of the support casting I ll which is secured to the grid IOI, andthe lower ends of each opposite member of each pair of members I30 areinterconnected by a pin grasping bar I32, so that there is a pair of pingrasping bars extending horizontally and parallel to each other alongopposite edges of the space within which the pin 24 is standing. MembersI33 are connected intermediate their ends at I-30b to linking leversI33, these levers being fulcrumed at a point I33a. on a downwardlyextending bracket II'Ib which is integral with the support Ill. Thelower end of each of the levers I33 is pivotally connected to one ofanother pair of links I 34 at I34a, and the links I34 are pivotallyjoined together at their upper ends and joined to a single link I35 at135a, the other end of the link I35 being pivotally connected to anactuating rod I33. The actuating rod I36 is connected at its upper endto the actuating member I23 carried by grid I02, and said rod extendsvertically through a guide opening in the member I ll. As shown in Fig.2, the support casting II'I may carry portions of the linkage for twoadjoining pin pickup units.

Refering again to Fig. 12 it will be seen that as the apparatus movesfrom the position of Fig.

Diagonally A 1,1, the parallel bars I32 have moved straight down belowthe level of the head of the pin. such bars maintaining their distanceapart until they are at a pin grasping level. As the pin grasping barsI32 are lowered, preferably a dead area detector grid (not shown) may besuspended from grid IOI and may be lowered ahead of all portions of thesearch bars I32. If a standing pin has moved from its normal spot asuilicient distance so that it would be struck by the pickup mechanismas it descends, the dead area detector grid will strike said standingpin first. As grid IOI continues to move down, relative motion betweensaid grid IOI and said detector grid may be caused to operate a switchwhich may be connected in a circuit arranged to stop the operation ofthe machine before damage occurs. For this purpose the grid structure INis permitted an additional motion of approximately one inch, and as saidgrid moves through this space the machine may be stopped by the actionof the dead area detector grid.

Referring now to Fig. 13 grid I02 has descended approximately 1% inchesfrom the position of Fig. 12. Since grids I00 and IOI have been stoppedprior to this time, this last mentioned movement of grid I02 comprises arelative movement between grids IOI and I02. Such relative movement istransmitted through the cross bar I23 to move the actuating rod I30downward, forcing the fulcrum of links I34 downward so that said linksassume the position of Fig. 13. Levers I33 are caused to pivot about thepoint I33a, and support members I30 carrying the bars I32 move towardeach other at their lower ends so that each of the members I30 and eachof the levers I33 are parallel to each other. Inasmuch as this linkageconstitutes a differential arrangement, one or the other of said barsI32 will move in a horizontal line parallel to the alley surface untilsaid pickup bar contacts the neck or head of the clamped bowling pin 24.This bar will then stop, but the opposite bar will continue to moveuntil it contacts the pin, and the final part of the stroke of theactuating rod I36 will act to straighten the links I34 so that theclamping action is locked with the bars I32 in operative position andthe pin is gripped solidly by the parallel bars I32 and the pressureplate I I0. We prefer to provide the bars I32 with a resilient surfacecovering, as for example rubber.

As the grid I02 descends to the position of Fig. 13 it is latched to thegrid I00. A latch device which may be used for this purpose isillustrated in Fig. 9, this device comprising a latch actuating memberI40 pivotally affixed to the core I4Ia of a solenoid I4I, said corebeing constantly urged out of the solenoid by a spring I4Ib. The latchactuating member I40 extends through a guide bracket I42 which isafiixed to a latch member I43 having a latching end I43a adapted tocooperate with a catch I44. The solenoid MI and latching members I40 andI43 may be carried by the grid I02, while the catch member I44 may becarried by the lower grid I00, and descent of the grid I02 to theposition of F1g. 13 causes operation of a switch (not shown) closing acircuit through the solenoid to pull the cord I4Ia into the solenoid andmove the latch into release position away from the catch I44.

After the bowling pin 24 has been clamped to the alley bed and graspedby the parallel bars I32, grid I02 is raised with grids I00 and IOIlatched to it until grid I00 is approximately 29% inches above the alleybed. A slight over-travel is permitted between grids IOI and I02 whensaid grids are in the position of Fig. 13 so that the locking latchesshown in Fig. 9 have a selflocking action and will not release grid Ieven if the solenoid MI is energized unless the bowling pin againtouches the alley floor and the weight of grid I00 is taken away fromthe pickup unit and supported by the pressure plate I00 against the headof the bowling pin or by limit stops mounted on the frame of themachine. This arrangement avoids the necessity of accurately timing theenergization of the solenoid I4I and insures that the pins will not bedropped to the alley bed, but will rest upon the alley bed before theclamping mechanism is released.

At the height of the upward travel of the pin pickup mechanism and thebowling pin, said bowling pin is approximately 12 inches above the alleybed, and the alley may be swept clear of fallen pins.

Grid I02 is now lowered to the position of Fig. 13, and during thislowering movement the solenoid I4I (Fig. is energized, but release ofgrid I00 takes place only when the grid I02 has lowered sufiiciently toset the base of the pin 24 on the alley bed. After the latch I43 isreleased the grid I02 is raised about 1% inches or until it just startsto pick up grid IOI. During this movement the linkage device moves awayfrom the head of the pin 24 to the position of Fig. 12, releasing thebowling pin 24, the pickup bars I32 moving horizontally away from thehead of the bowling pin while the pressure on the head of the pin fromthe pressure plate III! is retained. The bars I32 come to rest in theireX- treme open position of Fig. 12 and grid I02 is again raised. Thistime said grid I02 carries with it the grid structure IOI so that thelinkage mechanism and bars I32 are lifted vertically into the spacesprovided for them and the dead area detector grid (not shown) followsgrid IOI upwardly so that said detector grid fills in the areas adjacentthe pressure plates.

Grid I02 is raised an additional distance of approximately one inch,raising grid I00 to approximately 18% inches above the alley bed andlifting the pressure plate IIO away from the bowling pin 24. The lowersurface of the pickup assembly now presents a fiat surface in ahorizontal plane above the alley bed with the respective pressure platesIIO and detector grids lying in the same horizontal plane so that a fiatprotective surface is presented to protect the mechanisms from flyingpins when the next ball is rolled, and the bowling pins are now re-seton the alley in exactly the same position they occupied after the firstball was rolled.

The entire assembly may now be raised to a position well above the alleybed while the second bowling ball is rolled. After the rolling of thesecond ball if it is desired to provide an indication of the pins stillstanding, grids I00, IEII and I02 are lowered until grid I00 justreaches its lower limit stop where said grid is approximately 17 inchesabove the alley bed. This permits any standing pins to actuate pinindicator circuits through switches similar to switch II3 so that theindicator board shown in Fig. 1 at 50 will indicate the final count ofpins standing.

Grids I00, IOI and I02 are now driven up to their upper limit of travelto receive a new set of pins while the sweep 4| clears the alley of allremaining pins. Grids I00, IOI and I02 are aaipei raised until grid I 00is approximately 35 inches above the alley surface. During the lastseveral inches of this stroke, the new set of bowling pins 24 which arecarried by the setter grid I03, together with the rollers I50 (Figs. 2and 14) are forced down through the pressure plate IIO. In order toaccommodate this operation the pressure plate I I0 has a central cut outportion within which are mounted a pair of trap doors H012 and H00 asshown in Fig. 2. These trap doors are carried by spring loaded hingesIIIld so that they may open downwardly when pressure is applied fromabove, but are prevented from opening upwardly by stops I5I carried onthe pressure plate I I0. We prefer to make the trap doors I I01) andHills of different sizes so that the dividing line between them isapproximately inch 01f center. Since pins which are left standing on thealley bed are most often standing on their normal pin spots, thisconstruction places the division line in the rubber cushion 00. whichcovers the bottom of the pressure plate trap doors away from the pointof maximum wear. The detailed construction of the pressure plateassembly including the trap doors is shown in said copending applicationof Jack Van Horn Whipple and Albert L. Odmark and therefore will not berepeated here.

As the pins are delivered from the distributing mechanism 33 of Fig. 1to the pin setting grid I03, grid I03 is latched to grid I04 by a pairof solenoid actuated latches similar to those shown in Fig. 9, thelatches being carried by the upper grid I04 and the catches I44 beingcarried by the grid I03. When grid I02 has reached the upper limit or"its travel approximately 1 inches below grid I03, a signal switch (notshown) may be actuated, closing a circuit to energize the solenoids I II(Fig. 9) to release grid I03 from grid I04. Grid I04 is a storage gridwith toggletype doors I52 (Fig. 2) operable to retain extra pins. Thearrangement is such that each door I52 in grid I00 will remain openuntil a bowling pin has dropped through the door into the. correspondingpin setting cell of grid I04 and a switch (not shown) on each door isactuated as a pin drops through, said switch energizing a circuit toshut the door. When all doors on grid I04 are closed, a full set of tenpins is carried by the setter grid I03, and when this condition exists,but not until such condition exists, the location of grid I02 adjacentgrid I03 will actuate latching solenoids I II and release grid I03 fromgrid I04. Grid I03 is now carried by grid I02, being held thereon bygravity and the guiding action of the pin setting apparatus within eachopening in grid I02. In the apparatus illustrated grid I02 mustover-travel a slight distance, as approximately inch, to release thesolenoid operated latches (Fig. 9), thus providing a self-lockingarrangement wherein it is insured that grid I03 is resting on grid I02before grid I03 is released from grid I04, so that said grid I03 cannever drop in the space between grids I02 and I04.

The pin setting structure is now ready to be lowered, and in thisposition a standard size bowling pin 24 within the apparatus isapproximately 27% inches above the alley, while an un der-sized pinhaving a base diameter as much as inch below standard would be 27 inchesabove the alley bed, and such under-sized pin would not project belowthe lower edge of the trap doors II 01) and H00.

Grid I02 is now driven downward to the posi- 11 tion shown in Fig. 15.As this grid assembly moves downward from grid I04, the bowling pin '24is held within the pin setter cell I55 by a pair of clam shell devicesI56 which contact the pin at four points spaced 90 degrees from eachother around the periphery of the pin so that the pin is properlycentered within the cell I55.

The clam shell devices I56 are held open or closed by a toggle jointconsisting of links I51 and I58 and ayoke I53. A spring I60 (Fig. 2) isso designed that it always urges the end of yoke I59 downward in a guideslot 161 carried by an extension I62 of the clam shell structure. Whengrid I03 was latched against grid I04 this downward motion was preventedby downward pressure on an actuating rod I63 which is pivotally affixedto the yoke I59 at I63a. This rod I63 is a telescoping rod having aninternal pressure spring (not shown) contained within an enlargedtelescoping portion I-63b. Consequently the clam shells were held inclosed position at the time the bowling pin 24 was dropped into positiontherein from the distributing apparatus 31. As soon as the bowling pinentered the clam shell, its weight forced it like a wedge into the clamshell. Toggle link I51 and yoke I59 are located slightly above thevertical center of the structure so that when the grid I03 dropped awayfrom grid I04, the pressure of the actuating rod I63 no longer acted tooverpower the springs I60. However the only way the springs I60 can openthe clam shell is by pulling the link I51 and the yoke I59 through thecenter position, and the spring is unable to do this as the bowling pinwithin the structure is wedged against the clam shells and will notpermit them to close the approximate inch necessary to permit thisaction. Consequently each bowling pin is held firmly in its clam shellcradle during the downward travel of the structure.

The stop system earlier described is mechanically interconnected withgrid I63 in such away that when grid I03 is released from grid I04 asthe apparatus travels from the position of Fig. 14 to the position ofFig. 15, grid I is permitted to go down to a lower level which may beapproximately 7 inches above the alley bed before striking a limit stop,and with grid I00 in this position the lowest portion of the openpressure plate doors -I I0b and M00 is approximately I inch above thealley as shown in Fig. '15. While grid I00 remains in this position,grids IOI, I02 and I03 continue to be lowered, and when the spacebetween grids IOI and I00 is reduced to approximately 4 inches a normal-I sized bowling pin will just touch the alley bed as shown in Fig. 15.In this position the bowling pin is still clamped within the clam shelldevices I56.

Referring now to Fig. 16, grids IOI, I02 and I03 move downward anadditional distance of approximately one inch. During this motion thepin setting mechanism and the dead area detector (not shown) willpartially project below grid I00, but will not reach the closingposition shown in Fig. 13, so they will not cause interference with thepin setting operation.

During this last described movement of approximately one inch, eachbowling pin (including under-sized pins) will be set on the alley bed 20and the clam shell devices I56 will continue to be closed and locatedstraight down the sides of the pin until the toggle link I51, urged bythe spring I60, moves downwardly past center position. When this happensthe clam shells will fly open symmetrically (due to the guiding actionof the slot I6!) and the pin within the apparatus will be set free onthe alley. It will be noted that the bowling pin is set upon the alleywhile it is still clamped within the clam shells I56, so that at thetime the pin is released there is no drop whatsoever to reach the alley,the base of the pin being guided at all times until it is set upon thealley bed and released.

The grid structure may now be raised, grids IOI, I02 and I03 moving upuntil grid I00 is picked up by grid IOI. Since the clam shell devicesI56 are kept open by means of the springs I60 and since the clam shelldevices hold open the trap doors IIEJb and H00 the entire unit may belifted without touching the standing pins 24. As grid I63 approachesgrid I04, as for example within approximately 6 inches, the actuatingrod I33 strikes grid I64, and as the rest of the structure continues tomove upwardly this rod applies pressure to the yoke I59, thereby closingthe clam shells I56, and a closer approachof grid I03 to grid I64 isallowed by means of the telescoping action of the actuating rods I63,the portion I631) of said rods moving down over the inner portion I63.

Referring to Fig. 2, as the structure approaches its upward limit ofmovement, the upper end I65a of rocker arm I65 contacts a pivot rod I66of the toggle-lock door I52 on grid I04, and as the grids continue thelast portion-of their upward movement, the rocker arm I65 opens the doorI52 by pressing upward against the force of a spring (not shown) whichnormally tends to push the pivot rod I56 down and lock each door shut.As each door I52 is opened, any pin in storage above will drop through,and if no pin is held in storage, the door will be held open until a pinis delivered from the distributor apparatus. As soon as a pin passesinto the setter cell I55 of grid I03, the largest portion of the pinstrikes a roller I10 carried by the lower end of rocker arm I65, andactuates this rocker arm to pivot about its point of mounting I61 onthegrid I03 so that the pivot pin I66 is released and the door I52 ispermitted to close. This action prevents a second pin from comingthrough into the setter cell and also operates a switch (not shown) toindicate that that particular cell is loaded and ready for anotherre-set operation.

Upon reaching the uppermost position, the solenoid latches (Fig. 9)which are de-energized' automatically latch grid I63 to grid I04.

We claim:

1. Bowling pin setting apparatus comprising, in combination, a pressureplate for clamping a pin in upright position, a pair of spaced parallelbars movable toward each other to grasp the neck of a clamped pin, afirst vertically movable grid structure having a slot therein, means forsupporting said bars for movement in a substantially horizontal'planecomprising a pair of members pivotally and slidably mounted onsaid-firststructure in said slot, a second vertically movable grid structure, andmeans for operating said bars comprising an actuating member carried bysaid second structure, a pair of links pivotally connected intermediatetheir ends to said first structure and pivotally connected at one end tosaid respective supporting members intermediate the ends thereof, and asecond pair of links interconnecting said first pair of links and saidactuating member.

2. Bowling pin setting apparatus comprising, in combination, a lowergrid structure having a slotted upwardly extending portion and adownwardly extending portion, an upper grid structure, said structuresbeing vertically movable to gether and with respect to each other, apair of supporting members pivotally and slidably connected at one endto said lower structure in said slot and extending diagonally downwardlytherefrom, a pair of pin grasping bars carried by said supportingmembers at the lower ends thereof, a first pair of links each connectedat one end to one of said supporting members intermediate the endsthereof, and each pivotally connected inter mediate their ends to thedownwardly extending portion of said lower grid structure, an actuatingrod carried bysaid upper structure, a second pair of linksinterconnecting said actuating rod and the other end of said first pairof links, said actuating rod operating said links upon relative movementbetween said grid structures to cause said bars to move from a withdrawnposition to an operative pin grasping position.

3. Bowling pin setting apparatus comprising, in combination, avertically movable frame, a pair of spaced parallel bars of substantiallength, means for supporting said bars for movement in a substantiallyhorizontal plane toward each other to grasp the neck of an upright pincomprising a pair of elongated supporting members each carrying one ofsaid bars at one end thereof, said frame having means providing asubstantially vertically slidable pivotal support for the other end ofeach of said members, and means for moving said bars including anactuating member movable relative to said pivotal support means, aplurality of links connecting the actuating member to each supportmember for providing a differential action in the movement of said bars,and at least two of said links being pivotally mounted on said frame.

4. Bowling pin setting apparatus comprising, in combination, avertically movable frame, a pair of spaced parallel bars of substantiallength, means for supporting said bars for movement in a substantiallyhorizontal plane toward each other to grasp the neck of an upright pincomprising a pair of elongated supporting members each carrying one ofsaid bars at one end thereof, said frame having means providing asubstantially vertically slidable pivotal support for the other end ofeach of said members, and means for moving said bars including anactuating member movable relative to said pivotal support means, a firstpair of links pivotally mounted on said frame and each pivotallyconnected at one end to an intermediate portion of a different one ofthe supporting members and a second pair of links each pivotallyconnected to the other end of a different one of said first pair oflinks and to the actuating member to provide a differential action inthe movement of said bars.

5. Bowling pin setting apparatus comprising, in combination, avertically movable frame, a pair of spaced parallel bars of substantiallength, means for supporting said bars for movement in a substantiallyhorizontal plane-toward each other to grasp the neck of an upright pincomprising a pair of elongated supporting members each carrying one ofsaid bars at one end thereof, said frame having means providing asubstantially vertically slidable pivotal support for the other end ofeach' of said members, and means for moving said bar including anactuating member movable relative to said pivotal support means, a firstpair of links each pivotally connected at one end to an intermediateportion of a difierent one of the supporting members and a second pairof links each pivotally connected to the other end of a different one ofsaid first pair of links and to the actuating member, and means on theframe providing a pivotal support for each of the first pair of linksintermediate the ends thereof to provide a differential action in themovement of said bars.

6. Bowling pin setting apparatus comprising, in combination, avertically movable frame, a pair of spaced parallel bars of substantiallength, means for supporting said bars for movement in a substantiallyhorizontal plane toward each other to grasp the neck of an upright pincomprising a pair of elongated supporting members each carrying one ofsaid bars at one end thereof, said frame having means providing apivotal support for the other end of each of said members, and means formoving said bar including an actuating member movable relative to saidpivotal support means, a first pair of links each pivotally connected atone end to an intermediate portion of a difierent one of the supportingmembers and a second pair of links each pivotally connected to the otherend of a different one ,of said first pair of links and to the actuatingmember, means on the frame providing a pivotal support for each of thefirst pair of links intermediate the ends thereof, and means for lockingsaid bars in position grasping the neck of an upright pin.

'7. Bowling pin setting apparatus comprising, in combination, a pair ofspaced parallel bars of substantial length, means for supporting saidbars for movement in a substantially horizontal plane toward each otherto grasp the neck of an upright pin comprising a pair of elongatedsupporting members each carrying one of said bars at one end thereof, afirst movable member provided with a pair of vertical slots, meansslidably positioned in each of said slots and pivotally supporting theother end of each of said supporting members, a second member movablerelative to the first movable member, a first pair of links eachpivotally connected intermediate its ends to the first movable memberand each pivotally connected at one end thereof to an intermediateportion of a different one of said supporting members, and meansproviding a toggle link connection between the other end of each of saidlinks and said second movable member to provide a differential action inthe movement of said bars with relative movement between the first andsecond movable members" 8. Bowling pin setting apparatus comprising, incombination, a pair of spaced parallel bars of substantial length, meansfor supporting said bars for movement in a substantially horizontalplane toward each other to grasp the neck of an upright pin comprising apair of elongated supporting members each carrying one of said bars atone end thereof, a first movable member provided with a pair of verticalslots, means slidably positioned in each of said slots and pivotallysupporting the other end of each of said supporting members, a secondmember movable relative to the first movable member, a first pair oflinks each pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the firstmovable member and each pivotally connected at one end thereof to anintermediate portion of a different one of said supporting members, asecond pair of links each pivotally connected at one end thereof to theother end of a diiferent one of said first pair of links and pivotallyconnected at their other end to said second movable member to provide adifferential action in the movement of said bars with relative move- 151 6 ment between the first and second movable UNITED STATES PATENTSmembers.

Number Name Date JACK VAN HORN WHIPPLE- 1,203,216 McFarland Oct. 31,1916 GEORGE BENTLEY- 2,283,613 Schmidt May 19, 1942 EDWARD BENTLEY-2,300,302 Pan-a, et a1. Nov. 3, 1942 2,307,339 Kaufman Jan. 12, 1943REFERENCES CITED 2,333,703 Bates Nov, 13, 1945 The following referencesare of record in the file of this patent:

